Question

A newborn infant had trouble breathing at birth. The infant was 3 months premature. The physicians treated the infant with a solution, which was directly injected into the lungs. Within seconds, the infant responded with much-improved breathing. a) What is a major component of this solution? b) What is the major function of the suspension utilized to improve breathing?

Answer 1

1. The major component of this solution is pulmonary surfactant. The pulmonary surfactant is a mixture of lipids and proteins that is secreted by the epithelial cell of the alveolar space of the lungs.

2. In absence of adequate amount of pulmonary surfactant, the tissues in the air sacs of lungs stick to each other after exhalation, causing the alveoli to collapse.

The main function pulmonary surfactant suspension is to lower the surface tension at interface of air and liquid with in the lungs to ensure efficient breathing without sticking of air sacs